Hydrangea plant named ‘SCHROLL121-12-01’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Hydrangea  plant named ‘SCHROLL121-12-01’, characterized by its compact, upright and mounded plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit and strong stems; large mophead-type inflorescences with initially bright green-colored sterile flowers which become bright green and white in color with development; long flowering period; and good postproduction quality and longevity.

Botanical designation: Hydrangea macrophylla.

Cultivar denomination: ‘SCHROLL121-12-01’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea plant, botanically known as Hydrangea macrophylla and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘SCHROLL121-12-01’.

The new Hydrangea plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Aarslev, Denmark. The objective of the breeding program was to develop new container-type Hydrangea plants with strong stems, early flowering response and attractive leaf and flower coloration.

The new Hydrangea plant originated from a cross-pollination during the spring of 2012 of a proprietary selection of Hydrangea macrophylla identified as code number 36-09, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection of Hydrangea macrophylla identified as code number 66-00, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Hydrangea plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor in February, 2014 as a flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment in Aarslev, Denmark.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by softwood cuttings in Aarslev, Denmark since the spring of 2014 has shown that the unique features of this new Hydrangea plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Hydrangea have not been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘SCHROLL121-12-01’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘SCHROLL121-12-01’ as a new and distinct Hydrangea plant:

-   -   1. Compact, upright and mounded plant habit.     -   2. Moderately vigorous growth habit.     -   3. Freely branching habit and strong stems.     -   4. Large mophead-type inflorescences with initially bright         green-colored sterile flowers which become bright green and         white in color with development.     -   5. Long flowering period.     -   6. Good postproduction quality and longevity.

Plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of the female parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hydrangea are more compact than plants of         the female parent selection.     -   2. Plants of the new Hydrangea have smaller and lighter         green-colored leaves than plants of the female parent selection.     -   3. Plants of the new Hydrangea and the female parent selection         differ in sterile flower color as sterile flowers of plants of         the female parent selection are soft pink in color.     -   4. Plants of the new Hydrangea force faster than plants of the         female parent selection.

Plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of the male parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hydrangea are not as compact as plants of         the male parent selection.     -   2. Plants of the new Hydrangea and the male parent selection         differ in sterile flower color as sterile flowers of plants of         the male parent selection are initially creamy white in color         and become green and hot pink in color with development.     -   3. Plants of the new Hydrangea force faster than plants of the         male parent selection.

Plants of the new Hydrangea can be compared to plants of Hydrangea macrophylla ‘H213901’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,221. Plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of ‘H213901’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hydrangea are more compact than and not as         vigorous as plants of ‘H213901’.     -   2. Inflorescences of plants of the new Hydrangea have more         sterile and fewer fertile flowers than inflorescences of plants         of H213901’.     -   3. Plants of the new Hydrangea and ‘H213901’ differ in sterile         flower color as sterile flowers of plants of ‘H213901’ are dark         red purple in color.

Plants of the new Hydrangea can be compared to plants of Hydrangea macrophylla ‘H213906’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,509. Plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of ‘H213906’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hydrangea are more compact than and not as         vigorous as plants of ‘H213906’.     -   2. Plants of the new Hydrangea and ‘H213906’ differ in sterile         flower color as sterile flowers of plants of ‘H213906’ are dark         pink in color.     -   3. Plants of the new Hydrangea force faster than plants of         ‘H213906’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the unique appearance of the new Hydrangea plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Hydrangea plant.

The photograph on the first sheet comprises a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘SCHROLL121-12-01’ grown in a container.

The photograph at the top of the second sheet is a close-up view of a typical developing inflorescence of ‘SCHROLL121-12-01’.

The photograph at the bottom of the second sheet is a close-up view of a typical developed inflorescence of ‘SCHROLL121-12-01’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Plants used in the aforementioned photographs and in the following description were grown during the spring in 13-cm containers in a glass-covered greenhouse in Aarslev, Denmark and under cultural practices typical of commercial Hydrangea production. Plants of the new Hydrangea were pinched one time and were one year old when the photographs and description were taken. During the production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 15° C. to 25° C., night temperatures ranged from 10° C. to 20° C. and light levels ranged from 40 to 50 klux. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2007 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical description: Hydrangea macrophylla ‘SCHROLL121-12-01’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of Hydrangea             macrophylla identified as code number 36-09, not patented.         -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Proprietary selection of Hydrangea             macrophylla identified as code number 66-00, not patented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type cutting.—By softwood cuttings.         -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About two weeks at             temperatures about 20° C.         -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About 17 to 18 days at             temperatures about 18° C. to 20° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About four             weeks at temperatures about 18° C. to 20° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About five             weeks at temperatures about 18° C. to 20° C.         -   Root description.—Medium in thickness, fibrous; white, close             to N155D, in color.         -   Rooting habit.—Low branching; sparse. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Perennial subshrub; compact, upright             and mounded plant habit; broadly inverted triangle; freely             branching habit with about six to seven lateral branches             developing per plant; strong lateral branches; moderately             vigorous growth habit.         -   Plant height.—About 20 cm.         -   Plant diameter or area of spread.—About 35 cm.         -   Lateral branches.—Length: About 20 cm to 25 cm. Diameter:             About 5 mm to 6 mm. Internode length: About 3 cm to 4 cm.             Strength: Strong. Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color,             developing and developed: Close to 144A. Color, lenticels:             Close to N199B. -   Leaf description:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite, decussate; simple.         -   Length.—About 10 cm to 12 cm.         -   Width.—About 7 cm.         -   Shape.—Cordate to ovate.         -   Apex.—Cuspidate.         -   Base.—Obtuse to rounded.         -   Margin.—Serrate to dentate.         -   Texture and luster, upper surface.—Rugose, glabrous;             semi-glossy to matte.         -   Texture and luster, lower surface.—Rugose, glabrous;             prominent venation; matte.         -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate, reticulate.         -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to 137B.             Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 144A. Fully             expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to 137A; venation,             close to 145A to 145B. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface:             Close 137C; venation, close to 145A to 145B.         -   Petioles.—Length: About 2.5 cm to 3 cm. Diameter: About             4 mm. Strength: Strong. Texture, upper and lower surfaces:             Smooth, glabrous. Color, upper and lower surfaces: Close to             144B. -   Inflorescence & flower description:     -   -   Flower type and habit.—Showy single sterile and             inconspicuous single fertile flowers arranged on terminal             mophead-type panicles; panicles hemispherical to flattened             globular in overall shape; fertile and sterile flowers face             upright to outwardly; early flowering habit, plants begin             flowering about eight weeks after forcing period.         -   Natural flowering season.—Long flowering period; continuous             flowering from June throughout the summer in Northern             Europe.         -   Flower longevity, fertile flowers.—Flowers last about three             weeks on the plant; fertile flowers not persistent.         -   Flower longevity, sterile flowers.—Flowers last about four             months on the plant; sterile flowers persistent.         -   Quantity of flowers.—Freely flowering habit with less than             20 fertile flowers and about 100 sterile flowers per             panicle.         -   Fragrance.—None detected.         -   Panicle height.—About 8 cm.         -   Panicle diameter.—About 13 cm to 14 cm.         -   Flower diameter, fertile flowers.—About 4 mm.         -   Flower depth (height), fertile flowers.—About 3 mm to 4 mm.         -   Flower diameter, sterile flowers.—About 2.5 cm to 3.5 cm.         -   Flower depth (height), sterile flowers.—About 1 cm.         -   Flower shape, fertile flowers.—Spherical.         -   Flower shape, sterile flowers.—Deltoid to reniform.         -   Flower buds, fertile flowers.—Length: About 3 mm. Diameter:             About 2 mm. Shape: Spherical. Color: Close to 144A.         -   Flower buds, sterile flowers.—Length: About 3 mm to 5 mm.             Diameter: About 3 mm to 4 mm. Shape: Spherical. Color: Close             to 144A.         -   Petals, fertile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Five in a             single whorl. Length: About 4 mm. Width: About 2 mm to 3 mm.             Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse. Base: Cuneate. Margin: Entire.             Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Color:             When opening and fully opened, upper surface: Close to 77C;             towards the margins, close to 142C. When opening and fully             opened, lower surface: Close to 77C; towards the margins,             close to 142C.         -   Petals, sterile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Four in a             single whorl. Length: About 5 mm to 6 mm. Width: About 2 mm             to 2.5 mm. Shape: Ovate. Apex: Acute. Base: Rounded. Margin:             Entire. Texture, upper surface: Fine pubescence. Texture,             lower surface: Smooth, glabrous. Color: When opening and             fully opened, upper surface: Close to 77B; color does not             change with development. When opening and fully opened,             lower surface: Close to 77B; color does not change with             development.         -   Sepals, fertile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Five in a             single whorl; imbricate. Length: About 5 mm to 7 mm. Width:             About 5 mm. Shape: Ovate. Apex: Acute. Base: Cuneate.             Margin: Serrate. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth,             glabrous. Color: When opening and fully opened, upper             surface: Close to 144A. When opening and fully opened, lower             surface: Close to 146B.         -   Sepals, sterile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Three to             five in a single whorl; imbricate. Length: About 2 cm to             2.5 cm. Width: About 2 cm to 2.5 cm. Shape: Deltoid to             reniform. Apex: Acute to apiculate. Base: Cordate. Margin:             Serrate to doubly serrate. Texture, upper surface: Smooth,             glabrous. Texture, lower surface: Slightly rippled,             glabrous. Color: When opening, upper and lower surfaces:             Close to 145A. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to 145A,             144A and 157C; color becoming closer to 143A to 143B with             development. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to 144B and             157C; color becoming closer to 144A with development.         -   Pedicels, fertile flowers.—Length: About 8 mm. Diameter:             About 1 mm. Strength: Strong. Aspect: Upright to outwardly.             Texture: Fine pubescence. Color: Close to 143A to 143B.         -   Pedicels, sterile flowers.—Length: About 1.5 cm. Diameter:             About 1.5 mm to 2 mm. Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect:             Mostly upright. Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color: Distally,             close to 144C; proximally, close to 70D.         -   Reproductive organs, fertile flowers.—Stamens: Quantity per             flower: About eight. Filament length: About 1 mm. Filament             color: Close to 143D or 77C. Anther length: About 1.5 mm.             Anther shape: Reniform, elongated. Anther color: Close to             77C and 143D. Pollen amount: None observed. Pistils: Pistil             quantity per flower: About three. Pistil length: About 1 mm.             Stigma shape: Oval. Stigma color: Close to 145D. Style             length: About 1.5 mm. Style color: Close to 145D. Ovary             color: Close to 145D.         -   Reproductive organs, sterile flowers.—Stamens: Quantity per             flower: About eight. Filament length: About 4 mm. Filament             color: Close to 77A. Anther length: About 1 mm to 1.2 mm.             Anther shape: Rounded, elongated. Anther color: Close to             77C. Pollen amount: Abundant. Pollen color: Close to 18B.             Pistils: Pistil quantity per flower: About three. Pistil             length: About 1 mm. Stigma shape: Roughly oval. Stigma             color: Close to 77A. Style length: About 1 mm. Style color:             Close to 77A. Ovary color: Close to 77A.         -   Seeds.—Quantity: Few to none. Length: About 0.5 mm.             Diameter: About 0.1 mm. Color: Close to 164C. -   Pathogen & pest resistance: Plants of the new Hydrangea have not     been observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to     Hydrangea plants to date. -   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Hydrangea have been shown     to be tolerant to temperatures ranging from about 4° C. to 35° C. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Hydrangea plant named ‘SCHROLL121-12-01’ as illustrated and described. 